A file photo of a women's rights rally at the Capitol earlier this month in Albany.

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The state Assembly passed legislation Thursday that would provide greater legal protections for women, including strengthening abortion rights in New York.

The approval, 97-47, by the Democratic-led Assembly put pressure on the coalition-controlled Senate to pass the package of bills on Friday, the last day of the legislative session.

"I believe that the Women's Equality Act ranks among the more crucial legislative agendas we have passed in the last decade," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, who himself faced criticism this year for how he handled sexual ...